Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Pepperstone vs ACY Securities, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Pepperstone and ACY Securities are both established names in the online brokerage world, founded in 2010 and 2011, respectively. While neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank, they differ significantly in their regulatory standings. Pepperstone shines with three Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, making it a highly trusted broker with a commendable Trust Score of 95 from ForexBrokers.com. This indicates an excellent reputation for reliability and security within the financial industry.
On the other hand, ACY Securities holds one Tier-1 license and lacks any Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a more modest Trust Score of 75, which denotes an average risk level. While both brokers offer online trading services, Pepperstone's greater number of regulatory licenses makes it the more trusted choice for investors who prioritize security and peace of mind when trading. Understanding these differences can guide traders in choosing the platform that best aligns with their trust and trading requirements.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for high-volume traders through its Razor account, which offers competitive pricing when combined with its Active Trader program. On platforms like TradingView, MetaTrader, or cTrader, the Razor account employs a commission-based structure with an average spread of 0.10 pips for EUR/USD, plus a commission equivalent of 0.70 pips, totalling an all-in cost of 0.80 pips. This is close to the industry average. In contrast, Pepperstone's Standard account is commission-free, featuring a higher average spread of 1.1 pips for EUR/USD, making it a less economical choice compared to the Razor account. Professional traders in regions like the UK, EU, and Australia can benefit from Pepperstone's tiered Active Trader program, which offers spread rebates based on trading volume.
ACY Securities appeals to a diverse range of traders with both low-deposit and commission-based account options. The Standard account, requiring a modest $50 deposit, has a commission-free structure with an average spread of 1.2 pips for EUR/USD. However, ACY's ProZero account, with larger minimum deposits starting at $200, offers more competitive pricing with average spreads of 0.25 pips and a commission rate of $6 per round turn. For Australian residents, the ProZero commission drops to $3 per round turn, yielding effective spreads of 0.55 pips, aligning with industry leaders. ACY also provides an active trader program, potentially lowering costs for high-volume traders.
Both Pepperstone and ACY Securities earn a commendable 4.5-star rating for their commissions and fees. However, they differ slightly in their industry standings, with Pepperstone ranked 10th and ACY Securities 21st out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. This reflects Pepperstone's strong positioning, particularly for high-volume traders capitalizing on their Active Trader program, while ACY offers valuable options for both entry-level traders and those in the Australian market seeking competitive pricing.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 0.85 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Pepperstone and ACY Securities both offer a comprehensive range of investment options for online traders, with some key differences in their offerings. Both platforms provide access to forex trading through CFDs, with Pepperstone offering 65 forex pairs and ACY Securities offering 66. When it comes to the total number of tradeable symbols, ACY Securities takes the lead with 2200, compared to Pepperstone's 1726. However, neither broker offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning you can't directly buy shares of companies like Apple or Vodafone through these platforms.
For those interested in cryptocurrency trading, both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies, catering to traders looking for speculative opportunities without owning the underlying asset. Copy trading is a welcome feature available on both platforms, appealing to less experienced investors or those looking to mimic successful strategies. In terms of investment range, both brokers are rated four out of five stars, with Pepperstone ranked 26th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for their range of investments, compared to ACY Securities' ranking of 30th.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 2200 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 66 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Pepperstone and ACY Securities both offer a broad range of trading platforms and tools that cater to various trading needs, including simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts. Both brokers have developed their own in-house trading platforms and provide options for Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based trading, which makes trading accessible from almost any device. Importantly, both brokers accommodate traders using the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and support features like copy trading. Pepperstone goes a step further by offering DupliTrade, which is not available with ACY Securities, although neither broker supports ZuluTrade. Additionally, both allow users to trade directly from stock charts, offering a seamless trading experience.
When it comes to charting tools, Pepperstone provides 30 drawing tools compared to ACY Securities’ 15, giving traders more options for technical analysis. Both offer the ability to construct watch lists with seven fields. Overall, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools. However, Pepperstone holds a slight edge in their ForexBrokers.com ranking, coming in at #22 out of 62 brokers, while ACY Securities is ranked #41. This higher ranking may reflect Pepperstone’s broader range of available trading tools and innovative features like DupliTrade.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Pepperstone and ACY Securities both offer comprehensive mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility for traders on the go. Both platforms provide crucial features like stock or forex price alerts, drawing trendlines on charts, and viewing multiple time frames. Users of either app can enjoy creating watchlists with real-time quotes and exploring a range of 30 technical studies for their chart analysis. However, Pepperstone stands out with a unique feature: watchlist symbol syncing, allowing users to maintain consistency across their mobile app and online account—changes made in one reflect instantly in the other.
When it comes to ratings, Pepperstone and ACY Securities each earn a solid 4 stars for their mobile trading apps, indicating a high level of user satisfaction. However, Pepperstone has a slight edge in rankings, positioned at #21 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while ACY Securities ranks at #40. With Pepperstone's ability to sync watchlists across platforms, it may appeal slightly more to traders looking for seamless integration between their devices, but both apps deliver a reliable and efficient trading experience.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Pepperstone and ACY Securities both provide daily market commentary, making it easy for traders to stay updated on market developments. However, when it comes to sourcing forex news from prestigious outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters, Pepperstone has an edge over ACY Securities, which lacks such offerings. Additionally, Pepperstone enhances your trading experience with tools from Autochartist for technical analysis, a feature not available with ACY Securities. Both brokers present an economic calendar to inform traders about significant global events, but only Pepperstone offers sentiment analysis tools that track the ratio of long and short positions, giving traders more insights into market psychology.
While neither broker offers research tools from Trading Central or Acuity Trading, Pepperstone still scores higher in overall research capabilities, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars compared to ACY Securities' 3.5 stars. This difference is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, with Pepperstone positioned at #12 out of 62 brokers, whereas ACY Securities stands at #44. For traders prioritizing comprehensive research tools and up-to-date market information, Pepperstone emerges as a more suitable choice.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by Pepperstone and ACY Securities, both brokers provide a solid foundation for beginners interested in forex and CFDs. Pepperstone excels in its educational offerings, boasting over ten informative pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also host monthly webinars, providing live interactions with experts, and maintain a searchable archive of past webinars for convenient on-demand learning. Moreover, Pepperstone stands out by offering at least ten beginner-specific videos to help new traders understand the basics, alongside ten advanced videos for more seasoned traders. An additional advantage is their comprehensive investor dictionary, which demystifies at least 50 investing terms, making it a valuable resource for traders seeking to expand their knowledge base.
ACY Securities also commits to educating beginners with over ten educational pieces and frequent online client webinars. However, while they provide at least ten beginner-focused videos, they do not extend this offering into more advanced content for experienced traders. The absence of an extensive investor dictionary may be a drawback for learners who prefer quick access to precise definitions. Pepperstone's superior offering is reflected in a higher education rating of 4.5 stars compared to ACY Securities' 3.5 stars, and a ranking of 17th place versus ACY's 43rd in the education category from ForexBrokers.com. For beginners keen on a more comprehensive educational journey, Pepperstone presents itself as a more favorable option.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Pepperstone is better than ACY Securities. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16, while ACY Securities finished with an overall rank of #41.
Pepperstone offers a growing range of tradeable markets, good-quality research, and support for multiple social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
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ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 95 | 75 |
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Both Pepperstone and ACY Securities offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives but do not provide options for purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers Pepperstone and ACY Securities, both offer ACH or SEPA transfers, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing funds; however, only Pepperstone provides PayPal as an additional payment method.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 75 | |
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| Review | Pepperstone Review | ACY Securities Review |
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| Regulation | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 2200 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 66 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 0.85 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Pepperstone Review | ACY Securities Review |
| Overall | Pepperstone | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | ACY Securities Review |
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